Social outreach is not necessarily an exact science, however, it provides ample opportunity to communicate and develop a dialogue to inform and educate at several social levels. These levels include community institutions like the local church and schools; media – advertising in ethnic community newspapers and ethnic radio/TV programming; local business like barber shops, beauty salons, bodegas; and, social gathering places like soccer fields and social clubs.
We have learned that the messenger is just as important as the message - because of the issue of credibility and trustworthiness of the individual and the program or agency that they represent. Therefore, the outreach specialist is someone who is more than just familiar with the community. S/he readily recognizes the nuances, norms and values, and more importantly, how things get done and communicated. Because of cultural beliefs, taboos regarding sex, language barriers, literacy level, immigration status and the stigma attached to AIDS, many Haitians do not want to be associated with any activities related to HIV/AIDS. The impact of these factors should not be underestimated. In fact, it is not easy to have an individual talking about their sexual activities with someone they never met before. Distributing materials, especially condoms, in the street are not always easy; sometimes even those who want them - do not want others to see them taking the condoms. Nevertheless, our workers have developed over the years a good relationship with the community and their work is making a difference for many. Providing outreach in the Haitian community can be very challenging, yet rewarding.
Street Outreach is an important part of our program. Two to three times a week, our Outreach specialists visit Haitian businesses located in the Prospect Park South, Flatbush, East New York, Crown Heights, Canarsie, Cambria Heights, Jamaica and Spring Valley with the following objectives:
1- To deliver health risks reduction messages and distribute general HIV prevention materials/information to support risk reduction behavior (e.g. use of condoms, decrease of the number of partners).
2- To increase the awareness of the different services available at HCC.
3- To recruit clients and connect those in need of services in the Haitian/Caribbean communities to available services. They always encourage those they meet to get tested in order to know their HIV status.
Outreach to other agencies and Service Providers
Our Workers also visit other Community-based Organizations that serve Haitians to promote HCC’s services and recruit clients for our programs.
In collaboration with Rockland County Department of Health, our affiliate in Spring Valley offers free confidential HIV testing at HACSO every first Monday of the month. We also participate in World AIDS Day events as well as health fairs in Brooklyn at the Caledonia Health Center and King’s County’s HOPE Program during the year.
Electronic Media
An often overlooked tool in social outreach, especially in the Haitian and Caribbean communities is the electronic media. Since January 1989, HCC has been using the electronic media of radio and TV to provide HIV education to the Haitian Creole speaking population in NY. Since there is a language barrier, a low literacy level for those we serve and the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS, the use of the electronic media is very important. It is an integral vehicle in educating and informing the community around HIV/AIDS issues.
Over the years this program became a reliable source of information for many people. Our radio program airs weekly on Fridays from 2:00 to 3:00 PM on Radio Panou 94.7 SCA. The TV program airs twice a month, also on Fridays - between 6:30 and 7:00 PM on Caribbean Magazine WNYX TV.
At the beginning, our “ecoute” was limited to those living in NYC, particularly in Brooklyn, where the large majority of Haitians reside. With the advent of the Internet, both our TV and radio programs are readily accessible on the net. Anyone can log on www.tv26newyork.com and/or www.radyopanou.com when our program airs, to watch and/or listen to the show live. On occasion, we have had questions from people as far as Georgia and Montreal.
The radio program is live. It is usually a 15-minute presentation on a particular subject followed by questions from the audience. The TV program is usually pre- recorded. Topics covered on both radio and TV include, but are not limited to: basic HIV 101, testing, confidentiality, treatment, nutrition, immigration, domestic violence, role of the church, disclosure, etc. On occasion we invite other service providers to our show to present their services and/or programs that are available to the community. These programs are planned and presented by the engaging personality of our HIV/AIDS Program Director – Dr. Marie Carmel Pierre-Louis.